91PORNA

Join the Design Innovation Initiative for an inspiring afternoon as the 2026 John and Fonda Elliot Design Innovation Faculty Fellows share the outcomes of their six-week summer fellowship experience.

During this showcase, the DI Fellows will introduce the interdisciplinary projects they have been developing, discuss the original ideas that inspired their work, reflect on how those ideas have evolved, and present early prototypes and future plans. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with faculty innovators from across 91PORNA and learn how design, making, and collaboration can help address complex challenges and create new opportunities.

Dr. Abdelhakim Al Turk (Engineering)
Printed Possibilities: Integrating Additive Manufacturing and Textiles for Wearable Innovation

Dr. Jeffrey Balcerski (Aerospace Engineering)
Beyond Survival: Designing Human-Centered Lunar Habitats

Emily Baumgartner (Emerging Media & Technology)
Computing for Every Classroom: Expanding Access to Computer Science Education

Dr. Minyoung Gil (Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Studies)
Global Co-Design for STEM Learning

Dr. Brendan Ho (Architecture) & Dr. Elaine Hsiao (Peace & Conflict Studies)
Growing Peace: Environmental Peacebuilding Through Community Design

Dr. Taraneh Meshkani (Architecture)
Visualizing Spatial Inequality Through Data and Immersive Technology

Dr. Teddy Workneh (Communication Studies)
Science and Dialogue: Building Empathy Through Storytelling